August 26th
2009
8:19 PM
I was started on Bactrim 7 days ago. The first two days I felt fine, but the 3rd night I got cold...very cold and could not stop shaking for about two hours. My heart was racing and I was nauseated and couldn't focus. This went on for about 8 hours before going to the ER. Upon arrival I had elevated BP and pulse, but after a couple of hours it went down to normal. I saw a new doctor who said it sounded like I had a hypoglycemic attack!! I never had one of those before!! So, I'm figuring I'm getting sicker and maybe it is not from the Bactrim so I take it again and last night was another horrible night!! Racing heart, confusion, and urinating every 30 minutes. Thinking maybe I'm having another attack I get up and eat some applesauce and my husband gives me some sweet tea. I promptly threw up a few times and then we went to the computer to look for ourselves the side effects of this drug. Guess what? It causes hypoglycemia, racing heart, confusion and does something to your kidneys and makes you urinate too much and could be very dangerous!! That was it for me!! I didn't sleep the rest of the night but slept on and off during the day and felt like myself today for the first time since taking the drug. I don't know if it has done any permanent damage, but I will let everyone I know about this awful awful drug!!
-- By grandmotherof3 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
July 1th
2009
1:34 AM
I was prescribed Bactrim for an ear infection. A few days after taking it my lymph nodes in my neck became terribly painful and swollen. On the 8th day of the meds I have developed a rash on my arms, chest and face. I returned to the doctor today. He said that the rash is just a heat rash, and that the lymph nodes are just infected and prescribed another antibiotic! I spoke to my mother and sister and they are both very allergic to Sulpher based antibiotics. It looks like I am too. Glad that I read the post. I will never take that med again. I am nervous to stop the med at day 11 when I was prescribed for 14 days but I can't take these side effects any longer.
-- By cassandrita28 | Reply | Private Message me
May 18th
2009
11:39 AM
I was prescribed Bactrim for UTI and took two pills. Yesterday morning I woke up with a rash on my upper back and forearms, and had headaches off and on all day. I also had some slight kidney pain, especially on my right side. I took that day's dose anyway, even though I was sure it was the Bactrim causing it. I woke up this morning and the rash had spread all down my torso and arms, front and back, and I am still having headaches. I also had a hard time sleeping last night, not because I was itching, but was restless. I have stopped taking the Bactrim and the doctor wants to prescribe a different antibiotic. I don't think I will take them unless the UTI comes back later.
-- By sleepypanthers | Reply | Private Message me
February 27th
2009
2:26 PM
I just got bactrim prescribed to me when I had to go to the emergency room a few nights ago for an extremely high fever. They found it was a UTI and Kidney Infection. I started taking bactrim Wednesday morning and almost right away I started developing a headache. About an hour after it had begun, it turned into the most painful, throbbing headache I have ever experienced in my life. It does not go away at all. I have literally had it since Wednesday, all day, all night. Finally I called my doctor today and they said they had "no idea" why I was experiencing these problems. I told them that it started almost immediately after starting to take this medication and I was simply told that "antibiotics don't cause headaches". I beg to differ!!! I'm on day three, four more to go. I honestly can't stand this. It's interfering with my whole life. I would avoid this antibiotic if possible.
-- By l_ashington | Reply | Private Message me
January 11th
2009
12:22 AM
I have taken Bactrim on a few different occasions, all with the same bad reaction.
I am very prone to getting UTIs, especially after sex. It has been like this for years. One of the first times I got a UTI, I was prescribed Bactrim. There were not really any other side effects except for a small area, about the size of 2 quarters, on the side of my stomach, right below my rib, that turned reddish and itched. I told my doctor about it and he dismissed it, saying it couldn't be bactrim as the cause, he's never heard of it, etc. When I was done with the antibiotic, the "rash" or red area faded slowly, but left a grey mark in it's place that has not gone away in 5 years now and counting. It is PERMANENT DAMAGE from this medication.
I was younger, so I never cared to write down the medication name... later on, I had another UTI and was given Bactrim again. Somewhere during treatment I felt myself itching the same area, I lifted my shirt, and there it was, inflamed again.... again I didn't list it as one of my allergy medications and was prescribed it at least a 3rd time... with the same occurring.
I know for a fact that it was bactrim causing it. It is obvious that the 3 times I took it, the same mark that was caused by bactrim to begin with.. turns red during ingestion of the medication. I do not know why it stays localized to one area and does not spread, I don't know what kind of organs it might have been affecting in that area.. I wish I had a clue because I am very curious...
But bactrim has left a permanent scar on my body, and not only outside, but god knows what it has done inside that has caused this to surface out.
-- By yellowdaisy | Reply | Private Message me
December 18th
2008
7:38 PM
Much like others, I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI. I had only taken 2 pills before I noticed the strange blister/knot on the top of my tongue. I was terribly achy, but did not associate these symptoms as drug allergies as I have never been allergic to any antibiotic in the past. I went to sleep- weird dreams. Woke up and the "knot" had moved toward the base of my tongue, my neck/glands were sore, my speech was slurred due to the knot and the numb tongue. This site has been most helpful. I stopped the med and will not be taking it ever again.
-- By shelley1 | Reply | Private Message me
December 11th
2008
5:22 PM
Oh my God, where to start. The past few months I have gone through some crazy things from prostitis to having 2 cystoscopy's performed. This past weekend the scab came off the biopsy location in my bladder and blad pretty badly. It caused a large clot to block off my bladder and I could not urinate. In the ER they found a lot of bacteria in my urine and prescribed Bactrim.
Let me just say the past few months have been NOTHING last the past few days on Bactrim. First it was the crazy dreaming. Dreams that were so outlandish, yet so real it was quite frightening.
On day 2 of taking Bactrim I started to itch. It has been quite cold here in Jersey so I chalked it up to the usual dry winter skin. On day 3 I woke up (after minimal sleep) with a sore throat and chest congestion. I then found that the itching grew immensely in intensity and now was adorned with red bumps.
This rash was mainly on my upper arms and lower legs. I scratched at it so badly I drew blood, I have never felt itchy like this. This is ITCHY....EVIL ITCHY!
I woke up on day 4 the same, took another dose of Bactrim (dose #8). As I swallowed the pill something told me "Hey, I bet this pill is causing all your problems." After some research, viola! I found information online that pretty much assured me I was correct.
I went to the doc today and he advised me to take 1 Zyrtec a day and prescribed me Prednisone. I just hope this itching stops soon because I am making a mess of myself with all this scratching.
How could a pill like this be on the market and be utilized as much as it is. The testaments on this site are amazing and stunningly all similar.
Bactrim is undoubtedly the worst prescription I have ever taken or have read up on. To whoever reads this, if you are prescribed Bactrim use one of the rubber test gloves in your doctors office and slap him/her across the face with it. Dealing with the pending lawsuit would be better on you than dealing with the side effects of this drug.
-- By itchy_itchy | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
October 17th
2008
5:40 PM
I had a very small insect bite looking spot on my leg on Wednesday afternoon. Since it had pain in it and I have had a staph infection before, I immediately went to the doctor. The doctor prescribed Bactrim and one other antibiotic. I took a Bactrim pill at 10 pm and by midnight I was up with stomach cramps and chills so intense that the shaking made my muscles sore. My eyes were extremely bloodshot. The only way to fight off the cold feeling and the chills was to get in a warm bath. After my bath, I stayed up for 3 hours because of the cramps. I was able to get a few hours of sleep. At 9am I made my way down stairs- all the way feeling as if I was going to pass out. When I finally made it down the stairs, I threw up. By this time I was also running a low grade fever and had begun spotting. I immediately went the the emergency room. Upon arrival, I threw up again. I asked the nurse to please let me lay down. After 4 hours, an IV, pain meds for my throbbing headache, nausea meds, and IV antibiotics, my doctor drained the spot on my leg. He told me KEEP TAKING BOTH ANTIBIOTICS and sent me home. He said that if I had more symptoms to stop taking the Bactrim. I did not follow his instructions. I came home and luckily one of my friends is in pharmacy school.... she sent me this site and told me what she thought about what happened. I am so happy that I did not take the medicine again. It is scary that this drug did this to me after only ONE pill. It is scary to think what could have happened if I had continued the meds. This drug is very dangerous and everyone should be aware of the potential hazard to their health before taking it.
-- By kristinaford | Reply | Private Message me
September 10th
2008
10:34 AM
I was given Biaxin for a sinus infection that never cleared up. So the doctor gave me Bactrim. I took one before I went to bed. I woke up all jittery and full of anxiety. Sometimes this happens, because I do have agoraphobia with panic disorder. I took my second dose with breakfast. About 3 hours later my gums started to burn; like I ate too much salt. It was irritating, but did not realize it was from the antibiotic. Then my teeth started to hurt really bad everywhere, and it felt like electrical shocks going down my body. My skin turned all colors of blotchy purple and yellow. I started to shake so bad that it hurt. My Dad rushed me to the emergency room. I was given epi, steroids, and an anti-inflammatory. Then monitored for 2 hours. Which was hell, because I have agoraphobia.
I was sent home with prednisone and benadryl. It has been six days since this has happened, and I still have the chills. I feel like I have the flu. My teeth still hurt, and advil won't even help it. I have a constant headache. This medication should be banned. I only took 2 doses and became so ill. When do the side effects finally stop?
-- By heidi215 | Reply | Private Message me
July 24th
2008
2:27 PM
Guys thanks for posting. I was prescribed this medicine 2 days ago for an internal infection of the tissue surrounding my ankle. I'm not sure if it's helping the infection, but I do know that I am ridiculously nauseated. I'm afraid to stop taking the medicine because the doctor said if untreated the infection could infect my blood. This is the only antibiotic that has ever made me feel this way.
-- By codediva | Reply | Private Message me
May 3th
2008
10:56 PM
I recently had a breast reduction performed and developed a minor, natural infection due to the type of surgery, yet needed an antibiotic to help clear it up. My surgeon prescribed bactrim, and I was fine for the majority of the taking. About 2 doses away from finishing the meds, I noticed a rash on my stomach when I got out of the shower. The next day, I was covered completely head to toe in a giant rash that felt like severe sunburn, with 102 fever to accompany it. I have never felt so bad in my entire life, and on top of everything else, I'm graduating from college in 2 weeks and had 2 finals to take within those 2 days. It felt like someone let me soak in boiling water for an hour--severe sunburn minus the sticking--and I was FREEZING. Well anyway, I'm just getting over the itching now, it's been a few days. And now that I think back, I did have a headache for 3 days straight prior to the hive outbreak (but I just thought it was my allergies). My PCP told me I was allergic to sulfa drugs--NO MORE OF THEM!! But no resentment to my surgeon (he's amazing), because we had no idea that I was allergic to it in the first place
-- By lm724 | Reply | Private Message me
March 11th
2008
11:54 PM
I have a history of UTIs and have taken several different antibiotics over the last few years. Currently I'm taking Bactrim and I took it last time I had a UTI as well. Last time it caused me to get a yeast infection, an no other antibiotic does this for me and I woke up with a HUGE swollen lip. I didn't think anything of it and figured I had bit my lip in my sleep, but I just started taking Bactrim again a couple days ago and here it is again: Another yeast infection and my top left side of my lip ballooned up. My doctor ignored my statement about the yeast infection when he prescribed Bactrim last week, but you can bet he's going to listen when I go back tomorrow!! I already took tonight's dosage, but I'm not going to take tomorrow morning's and get in to see the doctor asap. Not only is my lip swollen, but it gets more and more painful as time passes and it slightly itches.
-- By nyhtonca | Reply | Private Message me
January 22th
2008
1:34 PM
i had got on Bactrim for a skin infection from a bite on my left upper thigh I was on it for 9 days (it was 10 day supply) did ok then on the 9th day of taking it after my night dose my throat started getting to where it was hard to swallow an I started throwing up so I went in an laid down with my mom an woke up in the mid morning covered in hives that itched and burned an looked as if they were 1/2 in to 1 in off the skin we rushed me to urgent care an they said it was an allergic reaction to sulfa gave me steroid peels and a new antibiotic to clear up a bladder infection well the next day went back in my eye swollen shut an my lip tripled in size they gave me a steroid shot an told me take Benadryl...this has lasted almost 6 days now..knowing God is healed me!.......just wondering how long symptoms will last ?
-- By marksofthemission | Reply | Private Message me
December 2th
2007
11:46 AM
I took Bactrim for 2 days. I developer blisters, eye swelling and acute pancreatitis. I was hospitalized for 13 days. I am still very sick from this drug and I think people should be made aware of the harmful side affects.
I was prescribed Bactrim for a UTI.
August 3th
2007
9:19 AM
I was given Bactrim after a laser procedure to my face. For the first seven days, my only symptom was a very red face which I unknowingly attributed to the laser procedure. On the eighth day, my face was very much improved in colour which I later realised was because I had accidently missed two doses of Bactrim. When I recommenced with the Bactrim the next morning, within a few hours my face was intensely itchy and red and I broke out in a rash all over my torso. At this point I became concerned and did some internet research, only to realise my symptoms were all Bactrim related. Apparently sulfite allergies are relatively common amongst the population, and I now know why I get a flushed face when I drink beer or wine.
-- By kylie74 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 1th
2009
4:55 PM
I was prescribed Bactrim for MRSA on August 26th, (2) 500 mg pills twice daily for one week. My first dose was that night, and the following morning I woke up with a severe migraine, and eye muscle pain. Day two I woke up with the same symptoms plus mild fever and severe pain from my neck down my spine. I was worried it was meningitis. Went and had my abcess drained and told the instacare Dr. all of my problems I had been having, and that I wasn't sure if it was a reaction to the antibiotic, or something else. Every day I have woken up sweating from the fever, I'm sleeping horribly, and the aches in my head and behind my eyes are at times unbearable. I will take my last dose tomorrow morning, and hopefully all of the symptoms will start to disappear. I am generally a healthy person, and rarely even get a cold, but this drug has really done a number on me, I haven't not felt these types of symptoms all at once before.
-- By sput_nick | Reply | Private Message me